Michigan CEO who posted AI photo of family members wearing ‘Lake America’ sweatshirts loses job; she says it was just for fun, not a political message

Michigan CEO Jane Smith (Second from left) was fired after controversy over her AI photo of family members wearing Lake America sweatshirts during their Canada trip. A Michigan credit union CEO whose AI-generated photograph of her family wearing “Lake America” sweatshirts went viral during a trip to Canada is no longer with the organization. Michigan borders Canada and the company did not risk upsetting the neighbor.Jane Smith, former CEO of Family First Credit Union in Saginaw, Michigan, ceased to be an employee of the credit union with immediate effect, according to a statement issued by the organization. Chief operating officer Jason Acosta has been appointed interim CEO.The credit union did not specify whether Smith resigned or was dismissed, nor did it explicitly say that the AI-generated image was the reason for her departure. However, the announcement came days after the photograph triggered widespread backlash in Canada.What was in the AI-generated photo?Smith and three members of her family had travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a 10-day holiday beginning September 11.Before the trip, the family discussed President Donald Trump's move to rename Lake Ontario “Lake Ameri...